Google Blocks 11,000 Accounts in Q2 2025 to Combat Global Disinformation Linked to China, Russia & Others
Google removed nearly 11,000 accounts in Q2 2025 linked to disinformation campaigns from China, Russia, and others, highlighting rising global influence operations across its platforms.
Tech Author
In the second quarter of 2025, Google removed about 11,000 YouTube channels and other accounts as part of its fight against integrated disinformation efforts. According to a CNBC report and Google's official blog, the majority of these accounts were tied to state-sponsored activities in nations such as China, Russia, Iran, and others.
Of the total, more than 7,700 YouTube channels were linked to China. These channels mainly posted content in Chinese and English, promoting the Chinese government, praising President Xi Jinping, and commenting on US foreign policy.
Russia was also active in these influence activities. Google blocked over 2,000 Russian-linked YouTube channels that spread pro-Russian content and targeted Ukraine, NATO, and Western countries. Some of this material was even linked to Russian state media and consulting firms.
These removals are part of Google's moving forward global monitoring operations, led by its Threat Analysis Group (TAG), which tracks and eliminates networks of fake accounts intended to influence public opinion online. A YouTube spokesperson said the recent results are consistent with the company's ongoing efforts to combat such threats.
In May, Google also removed additional content associated with RT, Russia's state-controlled media, which apparently paid influencers to shape opinions ahead of the 2024 elections.
Other countries involved with disinformation efforts are Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Israel, Romania, and Ghana.These campaigns frequently promoted political narratives, criticised opponents, and sparked debates about regional problems.
In total, Google removed over 30,000 accounts in the first half of 2025 from platforms such as YouTube, Ads, Blogger, and Google News. This demonstrates how quickly disinformation operations are spreading online.
Meanwhile, Meta reported eliminating 10 million false profiles that attempted to imitate popular creators, demonstrating that combating fraudulent content remained a common concern across the tech industry.
This article is based on information from India Today
